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First Hospital for People with Mental Disabilities
The first hospital, entitled "Public Hospital for Persons of Insane or Disordered Minds," admitted their first patient 12 October 1773 in Williamsburg, VA. -
American School for the Deaf
First school for the deaf in the United States in Hartfod, CT. Founded by Thomas Gallaudet. Also became the first school to receive aid from the federal government. -
School for the Idiotic and Feeble-Minded
Located in Waltham, MA, the school is the oldest publicly funded institution in the Western Hemisphere serving individuals with disabilities. -
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University, founded in 1864, is located in Washington, D.C. Only university in the world in which all programs and services accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. -
First Special Education Class
Rhode Island has the first public special education class. -
IQ Test
Dr. Alfred Binet created the IQ test that identified "slow" or "retarded" children. -
Section 504
Section 504 of Vocational Rehabilitation Act was established to protect individuals from discrimination based on their disability. Section 504 forbids employers and organizations from denying individuals with special needs an equal opportunity. -
Education of All Handicapped Children Act
Congress passed Public Law 94-142 that mandated states to develop and implement polices that assured free public education to all children with disabilities. Now identified as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). -
IDEA
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a federal law enacted in 1990, designed to give students access to free appropriate public education, regardless of ability. -
No Child Left Behind
The goal of the No Child Left Behind Act, enacted in 2001, is to improve the proficieny in math and reading for all students, including those with disabilities.
